Auskerry

Country

Scotland

Unitary Authority

Orkney Islands

SPA status

Classified 29/06/1998

Latitude

59 02 00 N

Longitude

02 34 00 W

SPA EU code

UK9002381

Area (ha)

101.97

Component SSSI/ASSIs

Auskerry

Auskerry is a small, uninhabited low-lying island situated 5 km
south of Stronsay in the Orkney Islands of northern Scotland. The
shore is a mixture of rocky platforms interspersed with low cliffs
and boulder/shingle beaches. The vegetation is mainly composed of
sheep-grazed Calluna heath and acidic grassland, with
smaller areas of other semi-natural habitats including neutral,
marshy and coastal grasslands, bog and mire, and standing water.
There is an extensive area of peat cuttings in the south of the
island, almost all of which are now disused. The site is important
as a nesting area for a number of breeding seabirds. These birds
feed outside the SPA in the waters surrounding the island, as well
as more distant waters.